Maseru, Mar. 27 — Members of the public have expressed mixed feelings on allegations making rounds on social media that Members of Parliament (MPs) are contemplating on increasing their salaries to M75 000 from the M40 000 they are currently getting.
They said that this would be a true reflection that the MPs have gone to Parliament for their own pockets and families but not to serve the electorate. They said that this could be a massive setback for Lesotho economically especially with the sluggish economy.
Speaking in an interview, one Ms. Sebolelo Mosola said that if this was to happen it would be a clear sign that the legislators are only there for their own benefit and not to serve Basotho.
She said that earlier the Parliamentarians gave themselves the M5 000 which they termed petrol allowances despite Basotho opposing that saying that if this could turn out to be true then Lesotho would be doomed.
She noted that it is unfortunate because the government leading political party RFP had promised to work hard in resuscitating the country’s economy which she said instead it is deteriorating each day.
Another Mr. Mosito Lelimo reiterated saying that this would be a very selfish move saying that if it gets approved the MPs should kiss Parliament goodbye saying that this would be their last term.
He said that it is funny because whenever there are issues that concern them, both opposition and government sides seem to work together but fight when they have to address issues of national concern.
He added that the government has refused to give public servants their proposed 25 percent salary increment on the basis that the country does not have money but when it comes to them (MPs) money is available.
Moreover, on his facebook page, former Public Works Principal Secretary Mr. Mothabathe Hlalele said that these Parliamentarians will play mind games on the Prime Minister saying that after leaving this one of M75 000 they will want him (Prime Minister) to buy them aeroplanes and threaten to topple him if he refuses.
“All I am saying is that, if he continues to give in to their demands, they will keep on blackmailing him forever. No opposition can oust the government, unless those in the government themselves topple it. We have seen it so many times in the past,” he said.
On the other hand, MP Mokherane Tsatsanyane on his facebook page has said that they do not want M75 000 but they need it further questioning how much a Principal Secretary gets despite the Lexus vehicle which is paid M40 000 with monthly instalments.
Meanwhile efforts to speak to the leader of the House on the matter were futile as her phone was not available.
In August 2021 the country’s lawmakers began receiving monthly tax-free fuel allowances of M5000 each. The new fuel windfall came into effect in the 2021/22 financial year which began on April 01, 2021.
The government went ahead with the payments despite an outcry from some of the opposition legislators and the public who argued that the allowances were ill-conceived especially as the country had more pressing problems like the Covid-19 pandemic to deal with.
MPs who argued in favour of the allowances said they needed them to travel to hard-to-reach areas in their constituencies.
